Gibson ES-335 Alvin Lee (2008) SOLD!

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Alvin Lee never attracted the same enduring acclaim as some of his Brit blues peers. But in his prime with the band Ten Years After, he embodied the art of sprezzatura, effortlessly peeling off intense flurries of fleet-fingered blues at Woodstock on the epic, 11-minute rendition of “Coming Home” and also earning accolades for later hits including “I’d Love to Change the World.”

Part of the Alvin Lee mystique was no doubt due to Big Red, his iconic cherry red Gibson ES-335. During the promiscuous late '60s, when other high-profile guitarists changed instruments with the same frequency that most of us change our socks, Lee displayed an unusual allegiance to this heavily modified semi-hollowbody.

Authentic down to its collection of period-correct decals (which are easily removable, at the new owner’s discretion) and its added single-coil pickup situated between the two standard humbuckers, this rare Alvin Lee Signature model produces a range of appealing tones, from chthonic lows that will rumble the ceiling all the way down in Hades, to cutting highs that wil inspire you to flights of Dionysian excess all the way up in the stratosphere.

In excellent-plus condition, this all maple-bodied instrument is outfitted with a stock ABR-1 bridge and TP-6 tailpiece. It sports a single-ply cream binding on the top and back, as well as two Gibson ’57 Classic humbuckers situated around a Seymour Duncan single coil. Per Lee’s intent, this instrument summons up a very convincing blend of traditional tones, from Gibson girth to Stratty snark.

With the tragedy of Lee’s premature demise at the age of 68, one can only hope that a new generation of fans and players will discoer (or rediscover) the body of work he left behind. The Alvin Lee Signature Model offers a rare glimpse into his restless creative spirit.

Ships in the original Gibson Custom Shop logo case with all case candy included. The price would be reasonable for any recent ES-335 in this condition; it's a steal for a Custom Shop model. SOLD!.

Alvin Lee never attracted the same enduring acclaim as some of his Brit blues peers. But in his prime with the band Ten Years After, he embodied the art of sprezzatura, effortlessly peeling off intense flurries of fleet-fingered blues at Woodstock on the epic, 11-minute rendition of “Coming Home” and also earning accolades for later hits including “I’d Love to Change the World.”

Part of the Alvin Lee mystique was no doubt due to Big Red, his iconic cherry red Gibson ES-335. During the promiscuous late ’60s, when other high-profile guitarists changed instruments with the same frequency that most of us change our socks, Lee displayed an unusual allegiance to this heavily modified semi-hollowbody.

Authentic down to its collection of period-correct decals (which are easily removable, at the new owner’s discretion) and its added single-coil pickup situated between the two standard humbuckers, this rare Alvin Lee Signature model produces a range of appealing tones, from chthonic lows that will rumble the ceiling all the way down in Hades, to cutting highs that wil inspire you to flights of Dionysian excess all the way up in the stratosphere.

In excellent-plus condition, this all maple-bodied instrument is outfitted with a stock ABR-1 bridge and TP-6 tailpiece. It sports a single-ply cream binding on the top and back, as well as two Gibson ’57 Classic humbuckers situated around a Seymour Duncan single coil. Per Lee’s intent, this instrument summons up a very convincing blend of traditional tones, from Gibson girth to Stratty snark.

With the tragedy of Lee’s premature demise at the age of 68, one can only hope that a new generation of fans and players will discoer (or rediscover) the body of work he left behind. The Alvin Lee Signature Model offers a rare glimpse into his restless creative spirit.

Ships in the original Gibson Custom Shop logo case with all case candy included. The price would be reasonable for any recent ES-335 in this condition; it’s a steal for a Custom Shop model. SOLD!.